Ruud guided the institution through a difficult economy according to priorities most people could respect, they said.

The Shippensburg University community reacts to President Bill Ruud's looming departureThe Patriot-News

“Dr. Ruud did everything in his power to keep the budget troubles as far removed from a student’s college experience as possible … due to a strong focus on careful planning during his administration,” said Joe Borrell, chairman of the Shippensburg University Department of Communications/ Journalism.

Steve Dolbin, art department chairman, recalls Ruud’s input during a major expansion of the department’s quarters in Huber Art Center.

“He gave us super latitude in all aspects of our planning and building of the new Huber Art Center,” Dolbin said. “I remember asking him ‘how innovative and dramatic can we get with the architectural design of the new building?’ His response was exactly what we as faculty, student body and a department could want – ‘as crazy as you want.’”

A Shippensburg University alumnus and former SU football player, Dolbin noted that Ruud “recognized that two of the biggest ways you put your school on the national map is through its athletics and its art. I really did observe him going to great lengths to support both.”

“Shippensburg has one of the best working relationships between union and leadership in the state system,” said Brendan Finucane, Shippensburg University professor of economics and president of the Shippensburg University chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties, the faculty union.

“From my perspective as APSCUF president, President Ruud has worked effectively with us in trying to resolve campus issues. He helped us make adjustments on campus when we had drastic cuts in state appropriations.”

So far, Ruud’s looming departure seems to have generated less buzz among students and young alumni than the announcement Thursday that Oklahoma State University has hired Shippensburg University’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Mike Yurcich. A couple of tweets about Ruud, however, show affection for a leader who was approachable and effective.

“Sad to see that President Ruud will be leaving Shippensburg for Univ. No. Iowa, but good for him! Bill Ruud was the best!!´tweeted Roxanne Michelle, a Shippensburg University alumna from the Baltimore area.

“With President Ruud leaving, Shippensburg must yet again use Plan B,” tweeted Shippensburg University junior Cheney Brook, punning on a yearlong controversy about a vending machine at the Etter Health Center on campus which provides the morning-after contraceptive known as “Plan B,” which Ruud supported.

“Since President Ruud arrived here in 2007, he’s been nothing but a positive influence for our campus,” said Ethan Goldbach, president of the Shippensburg University Student Association, in an email. “Bill has made great efforts to remain connected to the student body in his time at Shippensburg, hosting Pizza with the President nights in residence halls, giving cookies away in the library during finals week, participating in play productions and even walking around campus with his family – Judy and their dog, Fuzzy – interacting with students.”

“It’s hard to tell right now how this will affect our university,” Goldbach said.

A Midwesterner who came to Shippensburg University following the three-decade tenure of popular university President Anthony Ceddia, Ruud managed to earn respect while doing things his way.

Bill and Judy Ruud “didn’t do a lot of entertaining like the Ceddias did, but they did host a lot of student groups. They were very interested in mentoring. A lot of those kids were the first generation of their families to go to college” recalled Joan Freeman, a personal friend of the Ruuds who also serves on the board of the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives.

Freeman said Ruud backed efforts by College of Arts and Sciences Dean James Mike to find a new home for the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives, an extensive collection of vintage clothing and textiles now housed in the basement of Harley Hall.

Bill Freeman, also a personal friend, said the news of Ruud’s new job is not a surprise – it was no secret Ruud wanted to return to the Midwest and that he was applying for positions – but it is a loss to the community. Bill and Judy Ruud got involved and made some friends during their time in Shippensburg, Freeman said.

An active participant in the local Democratic Party, Bill Freeman said he kidded Ruud about a former position as senior policy and education adviser to former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne. Freeman said he invited Ruud to a couple of Democratic events and Ruud “made an appearance at two of them and even stayed awhile.

“I wasn’t sure what his politics were. I never knew how he was registered. I think he’s a very moderate thinker. He listened to both sides, then did what made sense, which is where a lot of good thinking people stand.”

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